Oil leak from front of engine?

[jvitelli17]

Hey guys i have an oil leak coming from the snub mount area and dripping down the oil pipe area. It is puddling in the belly pan but it is not a steady leak but a low drip that puddles over a week period. Wasn't sure if anyone had this type of leak before because i know it isn't the snub mount (so no stupid comments please!) and i didn't want to put it into service mod just to see. If it is a common leak i can just order a bunch of gaskets or hoses ahead of time, that way when i put it into service mode, i can fix whatever it could be then return the other parts.

Thing is, im new to the S4 and not sure what could be leaking down onto the snub mount, oil pipe, then to the bottom of the oil pan.

Here is a picture to show what it looks like:




Any help would be great, thanks guys!

[Brandywine050]

Coolant flows through the pipe, not oil. it could be the upper or lower oil pan joint, front main seal, the valley pan gasket under the intake leaking, or possibly the cam covers and/or the cam shaft access plugs. your best bet is to spray the whole area down with brake or carb cleaner, then look for a drip or moisture forming, this way you can make any leak more apparent. if you can get some oil dye and a black light then it will make this much easier.

[jvitelli17]

I figured oil didn't run through it but wasnt sure, and when i bought it he said the front main seal was done but not sure about the joint or the valley pan gasket. I was nervous about the oil dye just when i find/fix the leak, i didn't want the dye all inside the motor.

[SprintBlueWorld]

If the serpentine belt broke and was thereafter replaced (along with the snub mount) often times the broken belt lashes at the front crank seal damaging it and causing a leak. This I imagine can often go unnoticed til it is all put back together. That said valve cover gaskets are notorious for going on these cars and pretty much every v8 I've ever owned. Check out the link below with regard to crank seal damage and replacement.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...b-LWCP-Upgrade

[jvitelli17]

well i seems as though the leak is coming from above the snub mount, im thinking maybe it could be the crank seal? or i have looked online at the valley pan gasket too


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[SprintBlueWorld]

Waita sec, the crank seal was done as in installed or done as in needs to be replaced?

[jvitelli17]

i think the guy did the rear seal? basically he did the timing chain and clutch, so maybe the front seal is bad?


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[marcmo60]

+1 on the crank seal and another +1 on the valley pan gasket. I've done both over the past year and took the opportunity to replace the check valves as detail in this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ved-on-my-car!

[jvitelli17]

I was thinking of doing the valley pan gasket, i read other threads and everyone is doing it even if its just for PM. Also, serpentine was replaced before i bought it, maybe it broke and slapped around? hmm...things i will only know when i put her into service mode! (p.s. never done this before but i am sure i'll figure it out!)

[jmcdermott]

When I purchased my S4 last spring I had a small oil leak similar to what you are describing. I had oil dripping from the snub mount and oil would collect along the coolant pipe at front of engine. I replaced the valley pan gasket along with the two rubber seals that go between the oil filter housing and the block. It took a couple days to be sure the leak had stopped because of the old oil that had collected on the front of the engine but I don't have any more leaks now. Also, the good thing is you don't have to put it in service mode either.

[marcmo60]

I am pretty sure you would know if your serpentine belt had blown. I believe you even be able to see the bits and remnants w/o putting into service mode if you look close enough.

I was thinking of doing the valley pan gasket, i read other threads and everyone is doing it even if its just for PM. Also, serpentine was replaced before i bought it, maybe it broke and slapped around? hmm...things i will only know when i put her into service mode! (p.s. never done this before but i am sure i'll figure it out!)

[jvitelli17]

I am pretty sure you would know if your serpentine belt had blown. I believe you even be able to see the bits and remnants w/o putting into service mode if you look close enough.

Typo: serpentine was replaced right before i bought it, maybe WHEN it broke it slapped around hitting the crank seal causing a leak in front. But i am putting more money on the valley pan. Doing it probably this weekend.

[marcmo60]

Ah, understood. Be prepared to clean a bunch-o-gunk off.

[Guitarmageddon]

So a belt flapping around is going to suddenly unbolt two metal chunks heavily torqued together and chew the seal up, resulting in a leak?

[marcmo60]

What I recall reading and seeing pictures of on this forum is bits of shredded belt wedged into the seal area. I want to say B6Joe had pictures but I could be very wrong on this.

[jvitelli17]

So a belt flapping around is going to suddenly unbolt two metal chunks heavily torqued together and chew the seal up, resulting in a leak?

SprintBlueWorld brought up a point that if the belt broke, i do not even know if it ever did, it could have lashed near the seal. While it could be a longshot, i am just accepting all comments to troubleshoot.

[badger.]

While doing the valley pan gasket, go ahead and do the oil filter housing gasket too. I had oil in the same spot, changed the valley pan gasket, and still had the problem. Took it all back apart and replaced the oil filter housing gasket and all was well. The old one was brittle and cracked in one spot. It is really easy to get to when the IM and everything is off for the valley pan gasket.

[jvitelli17]

While doing the valley pan gasket, go ahead and do the oil filter housing gasket too. I had oil in the same spot, changed the valley pan gasket, and still had the problem. Took it all back apart and replaced the oil filter housing gasket and all was well. The old one was brittle and cracked in one spot. It is really easy to get to when the IM and everything is off for the valley pan gasket.

Now the oil filter housing isn't that the one that looks like a number 8? I will be buying this kit shortly anyhow: CLICK HERE

[badger.]

Now the oil filter housing isn't that the one that looks like a number 8? I will be buying this kit shortly anyhow: CLICK HERE

Yes it's that "8" shaped one, looks liek it is in the kit!

[Rirruto]

Pull the IM to verify if the valley pan gasket/oil filter gaskets are leaking. It takes 10-20min depending on your experience. I would be willing to bet this is the source of your leak; as said above, might as well replace the check valves while you're in there if it's the valley pan gasket. If it's not, then pulling the IM will allow you to get a better look to see if the crank seal is leaking.

[SlickFix]

OP, if you're going to be a DIY'er, you're going to have to know how to put your car into service position. It's not difficult, nor particularly time consuming.

Here's a good DIY to follow.

[jvitelli17]

Pull the IM to verify if the valley pan gasket/oil filter gaskets are leaking. It takes 10-20min depending on your experience. I would be willing to bet this is the source of your leak; as said above, might as well replace the check valves while you're in there if it's the valley pan gasket. If it's not, then pulling the IM will allow you to get a better look to see if the crank seal is leaking.

Yeah i just got the S4 couple weeks ago so i am transitioning from a 1.8T. I knew that motor front and back so now i am moving into this beast. I figure it doesn't take long basically pull the injectors, pop off coolant line on TB, vacuum lines, and those 14 bolts. I have a DIY for my first time anyway. I will be purchasing a kit from ECS that has a bunch of seals and check valves. If i am going to do the valley pan mine as well do the valves while i am staring at them!

[jvitelli17]

Hey guys bringing this thread to life, i did the valley pan gasket and oil check valves. Along with a bunch-O-GUNK OFF! it was a fun 3-4 hours. All back together and......still leaking i guess my bet is front seal? Also when i pulled my IM off i noticed oil in the manifold...this shows PCV valve failure possibly?

I wouldn't mind service mode but i feel like i won't be able to do the front crank seal with the front on the car. How difficult is it to put into service mode but take it completely off?

I do notice some flux in idle along with an oil burning smell...I wish i could save for a tune but have to PM FIRST!

[jmcdermott]

Did you also replace the oil filter housing seals when you had everything apart?

[jmcS4]

Did you also replace the oil filter housing seals when you had everything apart?

i did

[jvitelli17]

Did you also replace the oil filter housing seals when you had everything apart?

yup i did those two seals as well, also put some RTV around them to just to be sure!

[jvitelli17]

still trying to figure out what is going on. Anyone replace the front crank seal? just trying to see how much of a PIA job it is. Also if i am taking off the front clip what else should i do PM wise or even performance? Possibly 6-rib LWCP???

[badger.]

Front crank seal pretty much requires taking the front end off. Not sure you could do it from service position unless you are a special kind of masochist.. The new seal is kind of tough to get back in just right without folding it over anywhere so a straight shot and clear view of it is pretty much necessary. But it's very simple, take off the belt and pully and it is right there. Pull the old one out and pop the new one in. There is a good DIY around somewhere, maybe dig through this thread:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...eight-Crank-Pu


PM wise it would be a great time for:
- New belt, tensioner and idler (6rib LWCP conversion if you want to upgrade)
- IM/valley pan work, just because access to the crank sensors and all that is way better, although it sounds like you already did your jet valve service
- I did a coolant change since I had to drain it all out anyway to get the bumper off
- Front snub mount (which you also appear to have done)